180829-N-LH273-0094 INDIAN OCEAN (Aug. 29, 2018) Lt. Cmdr. Matt Vasquez, assigned to Fleet Surgical team (FST) 3, and Lt. Steve Lee, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), perform an appendectomy in the ship's medical ward during a scheduled deployment with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Essex ARG/13th MEU is a capable and lethal Navy-Marine Corps team deployed to the 7th fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies and maintain a presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Brock/Released)